Archbishop backs pokies reform

The Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide has backed calls for a $1 betting limit on poker machines.

Archbishop Jeffrey Driver said the federal government was still in a position to deliver change and reduce the harm caused by poker machine addiction even after abandoning the mandatory pre-commitment scheme.

He said a $1 maximum bet, with losses limited to $120 an hour, had the potential to reduce the great harm problem gamblers could do to themselves and those close to them.

"About a third of regular poker machine players have a problem with addiction," the archbishop said in a statement on Friday.

"Nearly 100,000 Australians lose more than $20,000 a year through their poker machine habit.

"For every problem gambler there are many others affected, families, children, friends and co-workers. The human price is too high."

The archbishop said polling had consistently shown Australians supported the introduction of measures to mitigate the harm of problem gambling.

He said he also supported reforms to reduce access to cash in gambling venues and for restrictions to online gambling.